VERSUS (Second Chances 2)

“How’s your dad?” I ask for the first time since I got home from work.

Noelle was already here, dressed in a pair of pajamas. Her sleep schedule has been messed up since Kurt’s surgery.

Her worry over that and her workload has taken its toll.

I offered to cook dinner, but she insisted that I relax while she handled it.

Cooking is an outlet for her. It helps ease her anxiety. The bonus is that she’s good at it.

“Better.” She heaves a sigh of relief. “His doctor has advised him to cut his time at work in half. She told him that it would be a good idea to consider retirement sometime soon.”

Kurt’s nearing seventy. Vacations have taken a backseat to work for most of his life.

I chime in even though I’m not immediate family. “I think he should retire. He’s worked hard for a very long time.”

“Don’t tell him that.” She jabs a finger into my side. “You know how he is about his age.”

I know. He tells anyone who will listen that he’s fifty-five. The graying hair on his head and the lines of wisdom around his eyes and mouth tell a different tale.

I put a finger over my lips. “These are sealed tight.”

“It would work to our benefit if he did retire.” She props a yellow throw pillow between her head and the couch. Closing her eyes, she goes on, “Dad retiring would mean that the firm would need someone special to step into his shoes.”

?

?He has a long list of potential candidates in his office.”

Her eyes pop open. “I see the best of the best in front of me.”

I admit that since I came to Manhattan, I’ve imagined what it would be like to live here full-time. This city has an appeal that I can’t deny. The energy is different here. There’s a pulse that Buffalo doesn’t offer me.

“Promise me one thing, Eden.”

“I’ll promise you anything if you promise me you’ll go to bed as soon as we’ve finished this conversation.” I rub her knee. “You’re drifting off.”

“I promise.” Her eyelids flutter shut briefly again. “Promise that if my dad does retire, that you’ll talk to him about working in New York.”

“When your dad retires, I’ll sit down with him and talk.” I choose each word carefully.

“That’s all I ask.” She lets out a yawn. “I’m going to bed. Don’t touch the dishes.”

I won’t promise that. I’ll tidy up, do the laundry, and make her a fruit salad for breakfast tomorrow before I go to bed.

“Sweet dreams, Noelle,” I call after her as she takes off down the hallway to her bedroom.

I glance down at my phone when it pings a notification of a new text message.

I scoop it into my palm.

Dylan: I’m headed home to start a search for that earring.

It’s almost nine. I wait for a beat to see if he’ll send a follow-up message.

Dylan: You’re more than welcome to help.

I have a case file to read over after I take care of things around here.

Eden: I can’t tonight, but I have faith in you.